Curriculum We use a guided curriculum in all of our dance classes. All students learn dance terminology, technique and numerous combinations throughout the year. We do not spend the entire year working on one recital routine. Choreography for recital is not taught until the spring semester and it is only the focus of a portion of the class.
Technique We believe a solid foundation in technique is extremely important for any dancer. Proper technique enables students to execute movements and steps precisely. Ballet is the foundation for all forms of dance. Technique learned in ballet classes can be applied to skills learned in jazz, tap, hip hop and musical theatre. Although the study of ballet is not required for enrollment in all of our classes, we strongly encourage all dancers to pursue ballet training. Students who take a ballet class in addition to hip hop, for instance, will progress more rapidly than their peers who do not.
Placement We believe proper class placement will enable each student to develop as a dancer. Placement is determined by the Director of Dance, Cheryl Morris. Some classes do require teacher permission, while others do not. If you wish to enroll your child in a class that requires permission, please email Cheryl Morris, at cheryl@artworksacademy.com. All students who were enrolled in Junior or Senior level classes will receive a placement guide, which lists the level of dance in which you should enroll your child. You do not need to email Cheryl for permission to enroll in an upper level class if it is listed on your placement guide. If you have not received yours, please contact Cheryl.
The 6th Annual Dance Recital will be Saturday, May 18, 2013!
Mommy and Me: 18 months old-2 year olds
Mommy and Me is aimed at developing gross motor skills, classroom etiquette (following directions, taking turns, etc.), and dance movement. This class is designed for students who are not ready to enter the classroom without mommy by their side, but still love to move and dance! Parents: you only need to enroll your child in the class. Do not enroll yourself or the system will charge you twice. This class will not perform in the recital.
Teacher approval is not required
Creative movement is aimed at developing gross motor skills, classroom etiquette (following directions, taking turns, etc.), and learning beginning tap and rhythm. Students will begin the year in ballet shoes, when the teacher feels the students are ready, they will also start dancing in their tap shoes. Students must be two by the first day of class to enroll.
Teacher approval is not required
PreDance 1 and 2: 3-5 year olds
Young dancers will learn the basics of tap, ballet, and jazz. Part of each class is spent on technique as well as various creative movement and gross motor development activities (i.e. basic tumbling, skipping, galloping, balancing, and much, much more).
PreDance 1: 3-4 year olds
PreDance 2: 4-5 year olds
Teacher approval is not required
Ballet/Tap Combo: Kindergarten - 2nd grade
This one hour combo class focuses on basic dance technique for ballet and tap. Students will gain an understanding of beginning dance terminology and skills. They will also develop a sense of rhythm and flexibility through various dance steps and combinations.
C1: Kindergarten-1st grade
C2: 1st grade (with recent experience) - 2nd grade
Hip Hop: Kindergarten - 2nd grade
Hip hop is a popular style of dance that began in urban areas and can now be seen in music videos, commercials, television, and Broadway musicals. Through the study of hip hop, students will learn coordination, strength, agility and endurance. Age appropriate music and choreography are used in all hip hop classes. Students enrolling in C1/C2 Hip Hop must also be enrolled in Ballet/Tap Combo.
Teacher approval is not required
Boys Jazz/Tap Combo: Kindergarten - 2nd grade
This one hour combo class will provide boys with a solid foundation in dance technique for jazz and tap. They will gain an understanding of beginning dance terminology and skills. Each week they will spend half the class working on steps and rhythms for tap and half the class developing the strength, flexibility and technique needed for jazz.
Teacher approval is not required
Leaps and Turns Technique: Kindergarten - 2nd grade
In this class, dancers will work to develop flexibility and strength for dancing. Half of each class will focus on stretching, conditioning and strength work. The second half of the class will be spent improving the dancers technique in turns and jumps. Students MUST also be enrolled in Ballet/Tap Combo or Boys Jazz/Tap Combo.
Teacher approval is not required
Baton Twirling: Kindergarten - 3rd grade
Our dance and twirl classes are designed to develop grace, confidence, and style while having fun. The classes feature basic baton twirls, strutting, tosses, and swings combined with dance footwork. From the Children's age to the Seniors, we’re sure to have a great time!
Teacher approval is not required
Ballet: 3rd - 6th grade
Ballet is the foundation of all dance technique. Solid training in this genre will allow a performer to easily adjust to the various dance styles seen in dance and musical theatre industries. Our classes place equal emphasis on technique, alignment, terminology and execution as well as musicality and a love of the art form.
J1: Teacher approval is not required
J2: Teacher approval is required
J3: Teacher approval is required
Tap: 3rd-6th grade
Tap focuses on developing rhythm and speed through intricate footwork. Students will learn proper execution and rhythm for steps, as well as the ability to execute steps at various speeds.
Teacher approval is not required
Jazz/Tap Combo: 3rd - 6th grade
This one hour combo class focuses on jazz and tap technique. This class builds on the foundation a student gains through ballet and teaches them to use their technique as they explore different steps and styles. Combinations will be used to develop performance skills. Students must also be enrolled in Ballet.
J1: Teacher approval is not required
J2: Teacher approval is required
J3: Teacher approval is required
Hip Hop: 3rd - 7th grade
Hip hop is a popular style of dance that began in urban areas and can now be seen in music videos, commercials, television, and Broadway musicals. Through the study of hip hop, students will learn coordination, strength, agility and endurance. Age appropriate music and choreography are used in all hip hop classes.
Teacher approval is not required
Lyrical: 5th grade and up
Lyrical is a dance style that focus on expressively communicating the song through movement. It tells a story from the stage. Students will focus on spacial awareness, timing, shape and movement dynamics.
Teacher approval IS required
Leaps and Turns Technique: 4th grade and up
In this class, dancers will work to develop flexibility and strength for dancing. Half of each class will focus on stretching, conditioning and strength work. The second half of the class will be spent improving the dancers technique in turns and jumps.
Teacher approval is not required
Homeschool Baton Twirling: 3rd-8th grade
Our dance and twirl classes are designed to develop grace, confidence, and style while having fun. The classes feature basic baton twirls, strutting, tosses, and swings combined with dance footwork. From the Children's age to the Seniors, we’re sure to have a great time!
Teacher approval is not required
Ballet: 6th-12th grade
Ballet is the foundation of all dance technique. Solid training in this genre will allow a performer to easily adjust to the various dance styles seen in dance and musical theatre industries. Our classes place equal emphasis on technique, alignment, terminology and execution as well as musicality and a love of the art form.
S1/S2: Teacher approval is not required.
S2/S3: Teacher approval is required. Students must also be enrolled in S1/S2 or S3
S3: Teacher approval is required. Students must attend twice a week.
Pointe: 6th-12th grade
This class is designed to help students develop the strength and skills needed to dance on Pointe. The class is open to students currently placed in Senior 3 Ballet. To be considered for Pointe work students must be enrolled in TWO ballet technique classes each week and Pointe. Regular evaluations of students strength, alignment, and balance will be done to determine a student's readiness for Pointe.
*The decision for placing a student on Pointe will be made by the students instructor(s). This decision is based on a students strength, placement, technical proficiency, understanding of terminology, as well as class attendance and participation.
Teacher approval is required
***Read the blog article, "When Can My Daughter Start Pointe?", written by Cheryl Morris on our blog.
Jazz: 6th-12th grade
Jazz classes study a variety of styles within the genre of jazz - classical technique, contemporary dance, and lyrical jazz. These classes build on the foundation a student gains through ballet and teaches them to use their technique as they explore different steps and styles. Students will work on strength and flexibility, as well as the execution of various kicks, leaps, and turns. Combinations will be used to develop performance skills. Students must also be enrolled in Ballet.
S1/S2: Teacher approval is not required
S3: Teacher approval is required
Tap: 6th-12th grade
Tap focuses on developing rhythm and speed through intricate footwork. Students will learn proper execution and rhythm for steps, as well as the ability to execute steps at various speeds.
S1/S2: Teacher approval is not required
S3: Teacher approval is required
Hip Hop: 6th-12th grade
Hip hop is a popular style of dance that began in urban areas and can now be seen in music videos, commercials, television, and Broadway musicals. Through the study of hip hop, students will learn coordination, strength, agility and endurance. Age appropriate music and choreography are used in all hip hop classes.
Teacher approval is not required
Lyrical Dance: 5th-12th grade
Lyrical is a dance style that focus on expressively communicating the song through movement. It tells a story from the stage. Students will focus on spacial awareness, timing, shape and movement dynamics.
Teacher approval IS required
Leaps and Turns Technique: 6th-12th grade
In this class, dancers will work to develop flexibility and strength for dancing. Half of each class will focus on stretching, conditioning and strength work. The second half of the class will be spent improving the dancers technique in turns and jumps.
Teacher approval is not required
Homeschool Baton Twirling: 3rd-8th grade
Our dance and twirl classes are designed to develop grace, confidence, and style while having fun. The classes feature basic baton twirls, strutting, tosses, and swings combined with dance footwork. From the Children's age to the Seniors, we’re sure to have a great time!
Private Dance Lessons: 10 years old and up
ArtWorks Academy offers private dance lessons for students 10 years old and up. Lessons are ½ hour per week. Individual instruction is offered in ballet, tap, jazz, or lyrical. Private dance lessons are meant to complement what the students are doing in their classes. Lessons place an emphasis on proper technique and enable dancers to focus on their individual strengths and weaknesses.
Students struggling with steps in dance or musical theatre classes may schedule one or two lessons to help them get back on track. Students wishing to push themselves as performers should schedule a weekly or biweekly lesson.
Lesson time to be arranged with instructor
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